PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION 



IT cannot be urged against this work that it travels 

 along a path already well worn, for the subject of 

 trees and shrubs for English gardens, though almost 

 inexhaustible, has never been so fully treated and 

 illustrated as it deserves. The book may have many 

 defects, but its pages will show that an honest 

 effort has been made to offer helpful and instructive 

 information to the many who wish to know more of 

 the beauty of trees and shrubs. 



In writing this book, the labour of my spare hours 

 for many months, I have been greatly helped by 

 Mr. Bean, the assistant-curator of the Royal Gardens, 

 Kew, whose deep knowledge of the subject has been 

 willingly imparted ; and by Miss Jekyll, to whom I 

 am indebted for many valuable suggestions and 

 notes. Among others to whom grateful thanks are 

 tendered are Mrs. Davidson, Mr. J. Clark, Mr. 

 Dallimore, and Mr. S. W. Fitzherbert. 



Some of the chapters have already appeared in 

 the Garden, with the object of making known as 

 widely as possible the importance of the most beauti- 

 ful trees and shrubs for English woodland and 

 pleasure-grounds. 



The illustrations will show how a shrub, so often 

 stunted and mutilated by unwise pruning, becomes 

 beautiful when allowed to develop naturally. 



The illustrations have their own teaching value, 



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